Explore the written and spoken word, as well as the best in classical liberal arts traditions from across the globe, through Humanities and Cultural Studies. Whether you focus on creative writing or modern languages, literature or philosophy, you will simultaneously immerse yourself in the accumulated knowledge of centuries of the humanities and develop the type of modern soft skills – critical thinking, effective communications, cultural competence – that are in-demand across disciplines and fields. Students gain powerful, life-enriching, practical skills that enable them to think outside the box and equip them to solve global challenges, making them excellent candidates on the job market.
Established in 1972, the Africana Studies program is one of the oldest Black Studies programs in the New England area. The program is committed to the original goals of the Black Studies movement of furthering a Black intellectual tradition and providing a corrective critique to the dominant Eurocentric narratives and academic discourse. Graduates of the program, which offers a trans-disciplinary curriculum in the arts, humanities and social/behavioral sciences, have gone on to establish successful careers in academia, education, law, public policy and social work. Students will learn to identify important contributors to the field, recite major events and persons in the chronology of the global black experience, and demonstrate familiarity with the history and impact of resistance against racism, colonialism, enslavement, poverty and injustice.
Africana Studies produces knowledge for the empowerment of Black people and advances the cause of transformative racial justice. The program provides an ideal education for students who aspire to careers in academia, education, community organizing, public service, law, government, public policy, and social work.
Communications is a broad and in-demand field in the modern economy. Our Communications program prepares students for a range of exciting careers in journalism, public relations, marketing, government, broadcast news, graphic design, speech pathology and much more. Nearly every major company or industry now employs communications professionals in some capacity and our Communications Department provides practical, real world education in some of the most important disciplines in the filed. Meanwhile, the major’s speech, language and hearing science concentration covers core courses considered by the American Speech Language Hearing Association to be prerequisites for graduate study.
A primary goal of the communication department is to develop students’ capabilities by providing a balance between practical experience and theory. Students are encouraged to participate in internship programs to get on-the-job communication experience. In addition to providing training for specialists, the communication department strives to supply students with the communication background necessary for their personal endeavors and career pursuits.
English majors develop some of the most important skills demanded in today’s workplaces, including critical analysis, problem solving, aesthetic awareness, and communication. With a focus on literary studies and optional concentrations in creative writing and professional writing, the English department at RIC gives you opportunities to pursue your intellectual interests, engage with nationally recognized faculty, and gain professional experience in preparation for an enormous range of careers.
The concentration in creative writing gives you the opportunity to study and write poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction in workshops and literature classes that focus on the components of craft, questions of genre, and intricacies of art. Contact Dr. Karen Lee Boren for additional information.
Students who choose the professional writing concentration will gain knowledge in and practice with writing in ways that will prepare them for careers in numerous writing-specific fields such as editing and publishing, public relations and marketing, and digital/multimedia communication and journalism. Contact Dr. Alison Shonkwiler for additional information.
Tailor your interests and map your future. Study abroad to surround yourself in the world of Shakespeare; get hands-on writing experience working for the Rhode Island College literary magazine; or intern with a local organization to build your resume. Whatever path you choose, Rhode Island College’s English program invites you to pursue your interests through the study of culture, history, language, and writing, as well as a variety of experiential learning opportunities.
With an interdisciplinary approach, this program focuses on how humans interact with their environment, taking stock of the essential and reciprocal relationship between humans and the natural world. The program also examines ways to move forward towards a more sustainable future for human and natural systems. Drawing on courses offered in biology, mathematics and the physical sciences, as well as the humanities, social sciences and arts, environmental studies majors explore how behavior, cultural variation and the function of our social, political and economic institutions both shape and are shaped by the natural world.
As environmental issues are of increasing concern worldwide, this with training in the field of Environmental Studies will be increasingly in demand across a range of industries. RIC has a tradition of emphasizing liberal studies education, which is essential for Environmental Studies majors. Field courses and internship opportunities make this a robust and engaging area of study. Graduates build vital skills that can lead to careers with non-profit agencies, natural resource management, environmental education/interpretation, public policy, parks and outdoor recreation, journalism, etc.
A wide range of courses within this major probe the production and critical study of film. Students inspect moving images and films of the past and present, from a national and international perspective. Films are contemplated in terms of history, culture, theory, genre, aesthetics and more. Students are urged to think carefully, deeply and passionately about the films they watch, write about and create.
In 2020, for the second year in a row, RIC ranked among the top 10 most affordable Film Studies programs in the country. For 2021, Intelligent.com ranked RIC’s Film Studies program as the #12 film degree program in the county, specifically citing it as the “Best B.A. Program.” Our upper-level classes tend to be small – no more than 15 students – and emphasize discussion, collaboration, and hands-on learning. Our dedicated faculty and interesting students are caring, supportive, creative, fun, and accomplished.
Graduates, future scholars and activists are prepared to understand, navigate and disrupt interlocking systems of oppression based on gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, social class, sexuality, nationality and ability. Students actively engage in interdisciplinary courses that consolidate intersectional feminist perspectives and pedagogies and foster community. Courses provide students with valuable marketable skills and opportunities, including internships that complement any course of study or career path. Graduates work in a range of fields including medicine, social services, education and business, and many continue to graduate school.
Our program embraces a vibrant, supportive community of learners, centralizing student voices in the planning of courses, programs and events. A thriving staple at RIC since the 1970s, the program has often paid particular attention to student voices and concerns. An example of that outreach is the Queer Studies minor, a new addition initiated by students.
This program will give you the cultural and geographic knowledge to work in a variety of roles such as public service, government, academia, nonprofits, and non-governmental organizations. You will get the chance to conduct research, learn a second language, understand new perspectives on global issues, and gain valuable cultural experiences. You will get to become a global citizen who appreciates and respects the languages, arts, religions, philosophies and cultures of our global community.
This program will give you the cultural and geographic knowledge to work in a variety of roles such as public service, government, academia, nonprofits, and non-governmental organizations. You will get the chance to conduct research, learn a second language, understand new perspectives on global issues, and gain valuable cultural experiences. You will get to become a global citizen who appreciates and respects the languages, arts, religions, philosophies and cultures of our global community.
History majors explore opportunities to examine society through varied time periods and geographic regions; through popular culture, ordinary people, government and foreign relations; and through the lens of race, ethnicity, class and gender. By engaging in research, analysis and writing, students acquire valuable skills for graduate or law school and careers in business, government, teaching and more. History B.A. is for the general study of history and Secondary Education History/Social Studies B.A. prepares students for teaching careers.
You will benefit from small classes, flexibility to take courses of interest and an opportunity to interact with professors noted for their varied historical specializations and expertise. Students leave this program prepared to create original research projects, earn noteworthy internships and display their work during public events in the community.
The bachelor of Liberal Studies degree is an ideal choice for students whose intellectual interests do not fall neatly into a traditional department or discipline. In consultation with the program director, students develop a plan of study that incorporates courses from multiple disciplines relating to a topic or theme chosen by the student.
All liberal arts majors are designed to develop analytical and critical reasoning skills, effective oral and written communication, and, in most cases, quantitative skills. These are the “transferrable skills” that can be applied in a variety of contexts, and are the skills that are prized by employers in all areas of business, industry, and public service.
This program will give you the linguistic, cultural and geographic knowledge to work in a variety of roles such as public service, government, academia, nonprofits, and non-governmental organizations. You will get the chance to conduct research, learn a second language, access new information, and gain valuable cultural experiences. You will get to become a global citizen who appreciates and respects the languages, arts, religions, philosophies and cultures of our global community.
With five language concentrations to choose from, you are able to shape your program experience. As a Modern Languages major you will also have the opportunity to study abroad and experience other cultures. Enrich your education through immersive learning experiences and enroll in a variety of courses that go beyond language.
Philosophy pursues questions in every dimension of human life, and its techniques apply to problems in any field of study. No brief definition expresses the richness and variety of philosophy. It seeks to establish standards of evidence, to provide rational methods of resolving conflicts, and to create techniques for evaluating ideas and arguments. Philosophy develops the capacity to see the world from the perspective of other individuals and other cultures; it enhances one's ability to perceive the relationships among the various fields of study; and it deepens one's sense of the meaning and variety of human experience.
In this program, you will have the ability to tailor your major to your interests. In addition to the required courses, you will be given freedom to choose courses from anthropology, economics, geography, history, international non-governmental organizations, modern languages, political science, sociology, and English. This program will give you the chance to shape your future in a way that is unique to you.
In this program you will acquire the necessary second-language skills and cultural background essential for teaching professionals, health and public service employees, business managers and executives, and graduate programs.
Linguistic and cultural proficiency in Portuguese can be a significant advantage to young professionals in today's global economy. Enroll in a Portuguese course at Rhode Island College and explore the advantages of making Portuguese part of your career path!
Students who choose professional writing will gain knowledge in and practice with writing in ways that will prepare them for careers in numerous writing-specific fields such as editing and publishing, public relations and marketing, and digital/multimedia communication and journalism. Students in non-writing-specific fields such as environmental policy, pre-law, social work, health and business management, political science, and nonprofit studies can also benefit.
All students who concentrate or minor in professional writing participate in an internship at a local organization or business which will provide them with real-world experiences to help build a professional resume.
If you are passionate about History and desire to share your knowledge with others then public history makes a wise career choice. The numerous and varied applications of public history encompass historical sites and historical archeology; archival collections and museum artifacts; historical society collections; federal and state level park service, landmark preservation, and government and private sector document preservation.
In this program, you will learn the practical application, scope, methodologies and procedures of public history. Your courses will lay the theoretical foundation and your off-campus internships will give you the hands-on experience and create opportunities for employment.
Queer Studies is an interdisciplinary field of inquiry that examines the histories, lives, identities, experiences and struggles of queer people. Queerness is an umbrella term that is broadly used to refer to individuals and identities that are (currently) understood as culturally non-normative, especially genders and sexualities such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexed, asexual, and others. Students actively engage in interdisciplinary courses that consolidate intersectional feminist perspectives, foster community and provide valuable marketable skills and opportunities, including internships that complement any career path.
Our Gender and Women’s Studies program – of which the Queer Studies minor is a part – embraces a vibrant, supportive community of learners, centralizing student voices in the planning of courses, programs and events. A thriving staple at RIC since the 1970s, the program has often paid particular attention to student voices and concerns. An example of that outreach is the Queer Studies minor, a new addition initiated by students.